This figure shows the GHG emissions associated with municipal waste management for the EU-27 (without Cyprus) plus Norway and Switzerland, differentiated according to the contribution of specific waste treatment paths. The GHG emissions are calculated using a life-cycle approach. In order to see the overall effect of waste management, the avoided emissions (counted as negative values) are plotted with the direct emissions, giving the net greenhouse gas emissions from MSW management in European countries (the black line).

The waste generation and distribution between treatment options for 1990-1994 has been backcasted by ETC/SCP’s best estimate. The data for 1995-2010 are based on reported data. Note: The composition of the MSW disposed in landfills, incinerated or recycled respectively are based on (ETC/SCP, 2011), updated with additional data received from Eionet countries during an Eionet consultation process, initiated by the EEA in 2012. Based on this consultation the calculations were updated for many countries and the results included in the GHG emissions calculations accordingly.